Greetings! My name is Felecia Edwards and I work with our freshman and transfer students in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at UNH. I came to UNH about two years ago as a graduate student in our Forensic Science program and later found that my work as a Graduate Assistant in the Undergraduate Admissions Office would lead to a position working with prospective students. I’ve been blessed with the great opportunities UNH has afforded me in such a short time.
I think you’ll find, like I did, that UNH is a small, nurturing, family-like community. As a graduate student and a UNH employee, I have seen firsthand how UNH faculty and staff put students first and work hard every day to make sure you enjoy your experience. I know how daunting your first college experience can be; however, it shouldn’t scare you, and we’re here to help.
That tight-knit community was evidenced in a special ceremony held at the university yesterday to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I joined a large group of faculty, staff, and students to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day just seven years ago. Following a procession across campus with local police and firefighters, we listened as our Campus Minister, Marty O’Connor, led a special ceremony at our 9-11 commemorative site. The campus flag was lowered to half staff at the time of the first attack on that tragic morning and each of us followed the ceremony by posting our own flag at the site. It was a somber yet powerful ceremony that allowed our campus community to honor the victims of 9-11.
This ceremony was also an opportunity for me to remember a hero the City of New Haven lost on September 10, 2008. I completed an internship with the New Haven Police Department Bureau of Identification this past summer and worked alongside Sgt. Dario Aponte, among others. Aponte was a 17-year veteran of NHPD and died tragically in a car accident while responding to a call. I only worked with the B of I for a short time, but I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Aponte and the other detectives in the unit. Today, I will attend Sgt. Aponte’s wake with other UNH students who interned with him at the NHPD. We all feel privileged to have worked with such a great person and a dedicated officer.
I hope that you all have the chance to take advantage of the internships offered to UNH students. It is a great way to get hands-on experience in your field of interest. You not only gain practical experience, but you also develop relationships with amazing people like Sgt. Aponte.
Thank you for checking out my first ever blog! I’m looking forward to the fall and can’t wait to share my experiences at UNH with you.
